ICC World Cup 2015: Border urges Australia not to be burdened with ‘favourites tag’

Former Australian captain Allan Border, who guided the national team to their first World Cup victory 27 years ago, has advised the current squad not to regard the tag of ”favourites” as a burden, ahead of the 2015 ICC World Cup.

The ICC World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand will begin in a year’s time and after their recent performances, the Australian’s are considered favourites to take the crown from defending champions India

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Border said that it is up to Michael Clarke‘s men to handle the pressure to win the tournament and urged the team to wear the ”favourites” tag with pride so that they can have the confidence to dominate the tournament from the first day.

However, Border admitted that the side which would compete in next year’s tournament must learn from the last Australian team to play in a World Cup hosted on home soil, the 1992 squad led by Border, which started as red-hot favourites but did not qualify for the semi-final stage after losses to New Zealand, South Africa, England and Pakistan.

Border also said that it is important for Australia to prepare well, and if they do, along with the ”favourites” tag, then can easily go out, ”blitz” the first few games and get the ”roll-on” from there.

First Published on February 15, 2014, 6:07 pmLast updated on February 15, 2014, 6:16 pm